University News

Mary Olive Woods Scholarships Awarded at WIU

October 23, 2018

Share |
Printer friendly version

MACOMB, IL – The Western Illinois University religious studies, philosophy and African American studies programs, through the support of the Mary Olive Woods (MOW) Trust, recently awarded prestigious scholarships to 13 students studying philosophy and/or religious studies at the University. Each recipient is enrolled in a religious studies course this year.

Matt McAnally, a senior religious studies major, anthropology minor, from Rushville, IL, received the MOW Academic Excellence Scholarship – an award of $6,000 per year. He is married with two children and has worked as a correctional sergeant for the Illinois Department of Corrections for the last 17 years. His goal is to become a chaplain for the Illinois Department of Corrections, which is being made possible by the religious studies program at Western.

Sierra Hill, a senior philosophy (pre-law) major, law enforcement and justice administration (LEJA) minor, and an Honors student, of Decatur, IL, received the MOW Academic Achievement Scholarship – an award of $3,000 per year. She is a member of Phi Alpha Delta and the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.  She was a resident assistant for two years in Tanner Hall. Her hobbies include swimming, running and reading.  She plans to further her studies and attend Officer Candidate School with the United States Army.
Haley Cullen, a senior philosophy (pre-law) major and sociology minor and an Honors student, from Joliet, IL, received the MOW Academic Scholarship – an award of $1,500 per year.  She is a member of Phi Alpha Delta and a member of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars.  She plans to attend law school and become a corporate attorney.
Receiving a MOW Religious Studies Minor Scholarship with an award from $150 to $500 for the fall semester are:

• Jesika Woodard, a sophomore psychology major, sociology and religious studies minor, of Florissant, MO: $200

• Maurice Cowan, a sophomore biology major, religious studies minor, of Chicago: $500

• Shea Fili, a senior foreign languages and cultures and religious studies major, German and theatre minor, of London Mills, IL: $500

• Lawrence Walls, a junior LEJA major, religious studies minor, of Chicago: $500

• Rebecca McCollum, a senior anthropology and sociology major and religious studies and psychology minor, of Fowler, IL: $250

• Marie De Lourdes Ruiz, a junior psychology major, religious studies, women's studies and creative writing minor, of Round Lake Beach, IL: $500

• Sharon McGraw, a freshman general studies major, religious studies, management and sociology minor: $150

• Kelsey O'Connor, a junior recreation, park and tourism administration major and religious studies and event planning minor: $200

• Receiving a MOW Philosophy Minor Scholarship is Justice Boasmond-Powyer, a junior political science (pre-law) major and philosophy minor, of Waukegan, IL: $150

• Receiving MOW African American Studies Minor Scholarship is Horzabrey Rodriguez, a senior liberal arts and sciences major, African American studies, sociology and women's studies minor: $150

In recent years, the Mary Olive Woods Trust has provided more than $100,000 in scholarships to WIU students. For more information about the scholarships, visit bit.ly/2yv77Zh.


Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
Office of University Communications & Marketing